#6638 - Ralphie's Girard Cafe, Girard Borough, PA - 7/23/2026

Ralphie's Girard Cafe, Girard Borough, PA

The borough of Girard, Pennsylvania, est. 1832, lies a little more than a mile south of the coast of Lake Erie. It's a very comfortable small town, which celebrates an annual Dan Rice Days festival, honoring the Manhattan-born circus owner, who started out at age 17 with a trained pig traveling show featuring Sybil, a pig that could tell time. Rice went on to become one of the country's most successful clowns and circus owners, and eventually ran for president in 1868, after previous unfruitful runs for Congress and Senate. The phrase of "jumping on the bandwagon" is said to have originated with Rice's use of his circus bandwagon to campaign for Zachary Taylor. Rice lived in Girard during the winters from 1852 to 1875, sharing his home there with his circus animals.

Ralphie's Girard Cafe, Girard Borough, PA

In 1955, Paul M. "Buddy" Seebacher and his wife Elizabeth started a bakery in a building right on Main Street in Girard, amidst other buildings which today host various small businesses like "The Hippie Space" and "Funk N Junk" thrift store. At the time the bakery shared a building with a bar/cafe. In 1965, the Seebachers would purchase the building, knock out the wall between the two businesses, and expand the Girard Cafe/Bar which they now ran. (goerie)  A patron at the bar told me that Ralphie would sometimes greet new visitors who entered through the old bakery door, tell them that the bar was next door, then walk across the room and greet them as they entered the other door.

Ralphie's Girard Cafe, Girard Borough, PA

Paul's son, Paul "Buddy" Seebacher III, explained that when his father could not remember a person's name, he would call them "Ralphie," to the extent that the nickname became attached to Paul himself. The bar remains full of photos and artifacts testifying to Ralphie's life, including hunting and fishing trips and his longtime playing and coaching softball. When Ralphie passed away in 1999, his son Buddy took over. When Buddy himself passed, his wife Colleen ("Coley") took over, and runs it to this day.

Ralphie's Girard Cafe, Girard Borough, PA

Judging from both the patrons gathered on this early Thursday afternoon and the newspaper articles on the wall, the bar has served as a prominent community gathering spot for the past seven decades. Although the decor will give a few clues, it's hard for me to describe why I've added this to my list of most favorite bars, as one really must visit to appreciate the vibe - the interior, the people, the ambiance. But I now look forward to returning whenever I'm in the area (and I'm sure Trista would enjoy checking out the several unique looking thrift stores around town).

103 Main St W, Girard, PA 16417

Est. 1955?
Articles and Reviews: goerie - yelp 

#5931 - Saisaki Asian Fusion, Frederick, MD - 10/5/2024

Saisaki Asion Fusion, Frederick, MD
Historic location of Hagan's Tavern

As the name says this is an Asian fusion (mostly Japanese and Thai) restaurant/bar with hibachi style cooking by May Talabkaew and family, who ran the Yatai Hibachi food truck in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for a few years before this. The food was quite good and the owners and staff were great. So while I would not hesitate to recommend it for those reasons, I must admit that my primary interest in the place was the old historic tavern building where it opened in 2024.

The structure, along the old National Road, was built in the late 18th century - many references say in 1875, but I tend to put most faith in the architectural survey created for the Maryland Historical Trust, which says perhaps as early as 1790, likely already a tavern at that time, and purchased by John Hagan in 1830.  It remained in the Hagan family for many years, and while it would serve under several different names over the decades, it was actually renamed Hagan Tavern as recently as 2009. It was informally known for many of these years as the "Old White House."

For a few details I'll turn to the real estate listing and again to the architectural survey. Standard caveats apply to claims of hosting George Washington et. al., though the location and historical description would seem to make it a good candidate.

From a real estate brochure:

"The main structure was built around 1785 to serve as a public house for travelers on the Olde National Pike, which at the time was the main thoroughfare between Baltimore and Cumberland and the gateway to the western frontier. Hagan’s was one of many taverns on the pike, but kept a reputation for having the best food, thereby attracting gentry as well as drovers.

Hagans’ guest list has included George Washington, John C. Calhoun, Andrew Johnson as well as Henry Clay. Through the years, Hagan’s Tavern has served varied roles: private home, resort, restaurant, tavern, inn, and — for a period in the 1930’s — a speakeasy. Hagan’s Tavern has also served as headquarters for soldiers and officers from both armies during the Civil War.

Original wall murals adorn the walls of some of the dining areas which depict glimpses of the styles of Moses Eaton and Rufus Porter, as well as the Zuber School of 18th century wall covering. Created by

local artist Virginia Jacobs McLaughlin, this unique display of artwork is only one of the many details of Hagan’s Tavern that creates a romantic atmosphere for its guests."

From an architectural survey for the Maryland Historical Trust:

"It was built possibly as early as 1790, pre-dating the National Road built through the area in about 1807. It was purchased about 1830 by John Hagan, who was the proprietor of the tavern through much of the mid and late 19th century. During the early 20th century, it continued to serve as a restaurant and bar with a rather notorious reputation for rough clientele. later in the 20th century, the building was an antique shop."

"The tavern has field stone walls which were covered with stucco during much of the 19th and early 20th centuries and painted white, a typical technique of drawing travelers' attention to inns, taverns, and toll houses along the National Road."

"The house may have been built as early as 1790 and is thought to have been a tavern operated by James Nixdorf. Architectural features of the tavern suggest conflicts with documentary evidence and oral tradition regarding dates, leaving open the possibility of construction between 1820-1830. By the 1830's, it was owned by John Hagan. His father Peter Hagan was described in Searight's 'The Old Pike: A History of the National Road (1894) as having a log tavern on the south side of the Pike near the stone Wilding's location which was famed among wagoners on the road.

The current owner of Hagan's Tavern [property], Mr. Mark McConnell, believes that the stone house may have operated concurrently with the log structure, eventually superceding it altogether. Research by Ann Lelilerz in the Frederick County Historical Society revealed that the tavern was still a well-known drinking place during the Civil War and was "patronized" by both Confederate and Union troops in their passages through Frederick County. With the advent of the automobile, the tavern continued to operate and had a notorious reputation during the early 20th century for its rough clientele. Memories of its use during the 1920's and early 1930's suggest it was known as a speakeasy as well as a legitimate restaurant. I.ater, it was used as an antique store. Mr. McConnell has information regarding several outbuildings which no longer exist, including stables, a summer kitchen, and a bank barn.'

5018 Old National Pike, Frederick, MD 21702 - (240) 490-8007
Est. 2024 - Building constructed: 1790?
Previous bars in this location: Nixdorf's Tavern, Hagan's Tavern, Silver Maple Inn
Web site: saisakifrederick.com - facebook - facebook (hagans) 
Articles & Reviews: yelp - fredericknewspost - mountolivethistory (Hagan family history) 

#6625 - Mortals Key Brewing, South Shenango Township, PA - 7/9/2026

Mortals Key Brewing, South Shenango, PA

I really like this place and have added it to my list of top favorites. In short, it looks and feels great, they have really good beers, and while I did not originally intend to eat there, the smell of the smoking brisket gave me no choice.

More than just a brewpub, it's like a little village, with old barn wood buildings crammed with interesting antiques, salvage, and artistic furnishings. I don't know exactly what the arts backgrounds of the owners are, but they are apparent everywhere you look, comprising a highly diverse set of source materials that somehow come together feeling as a thematic, welcoming whole. The brewery was opened June 24, 2016 just east of the Pymatuning Reservoir, which straddles the Pennsylvania-Ohio border and resulted in the largest lake in Pennsylvania. The address lists Jamestown but it is technically in South Shenango Township, PA. It was created and is run by Bruce and Jennifer Woyt, and Doug and Connie Shannon. Their web site describes the project this way:

Mortals Key Brewing, South Shenango, PA

"Mortals Key Brewing Company was born by a handful of artists who came together on a small farm overlooking old America with the sole purpose of creating a beer unlike any other. In the process we ended up also changing the course of our lives. We’re not saying we’ve found the secret to life, only the key to enjoying it. So join us for a pint and begin filling that bucket with a list of everything you want to do during your time here on this planet. And then get out there and have fun doing it."  (mortalskey.com)

On my first visit I was able to meet owner Jennifer and head brewer Sean McIntyre, as well as chatting with bartender Craig. The main bar and kitchen are in an old tractor barn refurbished with repurposed building materials, architectural salvage, boat motors and half a 1950s Bristol Bus. The Egyptian ankh symbol, sometimes known as "the key of life," features prominently throughout (down to the beer tap handles), and adds to feeling of a welcoming, secret sanctuary.

Adjacent to the brewpub is the Gatehouse Winery, which I yet to explore, and up a slight hill is a handsome stone house that serves as the Estate at Gatehouse Bed & Breakfast, which seems like a great base from which to explore the reservoir, the Pymatuning State Park as well as Lake Conneaut area. In any case, I will definitely be watching for opportunities to return.

4224 E Lake Rd, Jamestown, PA 16134 - (724) 932-1080

Est. June 24, 2016 - Building constructed: 2016
Previous bars in this location: None known
Web site: mortalskey.com - facebook - instagram 
Articles: goerie - recordargusnews - neocraftbrewerynews - yelp - tripadvisor - untappd - beeradvocate 

Historical Note: West Overton Village and Old Overholt Whiskey

West Overton Village Museum, Pennsylvania

Yesterday we visited the museum at West Overton Village in East Huntingdon Township, some 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The museum is housed in the old distillery and mill house of Old Overholt Whiskey, the oldest continual whiskey brand in the country. The distillery was established in 1810 when Abraham Overholt took over his father Henry's farm and converted his distilling operation into a major commercial business. 

We had been to the village a couple times before, and visited the new distillery on the premises, but this is the first time we'd been able to tour the museum now in the distillery building erected in 1859. The museum includes the Sam Komlenic Gallery, which is said to comprise "the largest publicly accessible collection of artifacts related to Pennsylvania's rich history of whiskey distilling," including some 270+ whiskey bottles dating from the late 19th to mid 20th centuries. (westovertonvillage.org) 

West Overton Village Distillery

The property, then extending over 263 acres, was acquired by Henry Overholt in 1903, and like most Pennsylvania farms of the time began to distill whiskey. When Abraham took over he "developed the family farm into an industrial enterprise centered around whiskey production," expanding the farm "into a village that included the 1838 Overholt Homestead, the 1859 combined distillery and gristmill, several brick barns, a cooperage, shops, worker housing, and numerous outbuildings." For the next 100+ years, up until federal prohibition took effect in 1920, "the Overholts maintained the tradition of distilling Monongahela rye, considered the quintessential American whiskey." (ibid) 

Starting in 1881, the operation was owned and run by Abraham's grandson Henry Clay Frick. In that same year Frick, who had been born in the village and already become wealthy from his coke coal operation, was introduced to Andrew Carnegie, and in the same year would merge his operation with Carnegie Steel and become its chairman. It was in this capacity that Frick would in 1892 precipitate the "Homestead Massacre," by loading up barges on the Ohio River with 300 Pinkerton agents, with the goal of opening the Homestead plant for non-union workers, forcing their way past the striking workers, their families, and other townspeople determined to keep the plant closed until ownership reached a bargaining agreement with their union. The resulting conflict and exchange of gunfire left 10 to 16 steelworkers and Pinkerton agents dead, and eventually the American labor movement significantly weakened. (wikipedia) 

For the highly wealthy Frick, the distillery "was a sentimental side-business," to which he added partners Andrew Mellon and Charles W. Mauck. In 1888, the product, originally labeled "Pure Rye Old Farm Whiskey," was officially named "Old Overholt," in homage to Abraham, and by 1900 was a national brand. When Frick died in 1919, with prohibition pending, this ended the Overholt/Frick family's involvement, as well as operations at the village. For the production of "medicinal" whiskey during prohibition and resuming regular production post prohibition, the company used only their newer location in Broad Ford, PA. The company would be sold to various interests over the following decades, most notably to Jim Beam in 1997. (wikipedia)

The whiskey would change its mash bill and decline in quality and reputation over the next 20 years. But happily, beginning in 2017, new versions of the product would revive its reputation with serious whiskey fans and the craft cocktail world. For a good description of this I quote from an article by Eric Zandona on his EZdrinking blog:

"... Beam decided to move production of Old Overholt from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, changed the mash bill to the minimum 51% rye and drop the bottling strength to 80 proof. 

For about 27 years Old Overholt sat as bottom shelf whiskey overshowed by other more popular whiskeys in the Beam portfolio....  but in 2017, the now Beam Suntory began to get label approval for several new Old Overholt expressions. For the first time in about 30 years, Beam Suntory re-released a bonded version of Old Overholt which cause quite a buzz among whiskey writes and bartenders. And, two years later in 2019, Beam Suntory increased the standard bottling strength from 40% to 43% ABV. From then on there has been a steady release of new Old Overholt expressions which has helped to revitalize the brand from its bottom shelf ignominy to a brand that is once again well respected and sought after by American whiskey fans. It has been exciting to see Beam Suntory put some money and effort into supporting this historic brand by creating new and interesting offerings such as the return of the 4-year age statement on the standard bottle, the 11 Year Old Cask Strength, and the A. Overholt Straight Rye made with a traditional Pennsylvania rye whiskey mash bill. Hopefully this trend will continue and who knows what we will see in the future for this more than 200-year-old brand."

Bourbon Culture adds "Things changed yet again in 2023 when Beam rolled out with a cask strength, 10-year-old Old Overholt. Then came the news that this would be an annual review where the age should continue to increase."

Finally, while the village no longer owned the Old Overholt name, in 2020 it opened a new distillery on the premises, producing its own set of rye whiskeys under the West Overton Distilling name, as well as collaborating annually with other distilleries such as Stoll & Wolfe and Dad's Hat on blends. These and a small set of rotating cocktails are available in a remodeled 19th century barn across the road from the old residence. 

West Overton Village circa 1867
homestead, spring house, and distillery/grist mill buildings still intact today

Links: westovertonvillage.org - karensbranches - EZdrinking - thebourbonculture

wikipedia: West Overton - Homestead Strike - Henry Clay Frick 

See all Historical Notes 

#6593 - Rock Rest Lodge, Golden, CO - 6/10/2026

Rock Rest Lodge, Golden, CO

Here's a brief history from the bar's web site:

"Although records are unclear, local folklore holds that the front section of the Rock Rest was erected around 1885 as a trading post and stagecoach stop.  Originally called the “Rock House Rest” on old mining maps, by the time of the 1890’s census, the name had been shortened to simply “Rock Rest”. 

As nearby Camp George West expanded, so too did the Rock Rest.  The lodge, ballroom and “private” brothel areas were built around 1907 by then owner and local legend Len “Stump Puller” Johnson.  After Johnson retired back to Sweden, the Lodge was sold to a shady character by the name of JimboThraken.  Extending the brothel and gambling receipts were Thraken’s first order of business.  Soon the Rock Rest became the Ad Hoc officers club for the nearby camp.  In 1923 Thraken was killed in a barroom brawl and the Rock Rest went through a series of owners and into decline. 

Rock Rest Lodge, Golden, CO

During the Great Depression the Rock Rest was brought back to greatness by the famous fiddle playing band leader George Morrison.  Morrison and his Rigadooners were the toast of the town until the Klu Klux Klan threatened to blow up the Rock Rest and kill the African-American and Catholic band leader. 

The Rock Rest then came under the ownership of Max Heeley, a local Heavyweight boxer.  According to newspaper accounts of the time, Heeley’s Bull terrier “Dempsey” wandered into the cavern beneath the Rock Rest.  The distraught Heeley followed the pup in, and neither was seen again.  Since then, the cavern has been sealed for safety concerns.  On especially windy nights, it is said one can still hear old Dempsey howling!"

16005 Mt Vernon Rd, Golden, CO 80401 - (303) 216-2895

Est. c.1885 - Building constructed: c.1885/1907
Previous bars in this location: None known 
Web site: rockrestlodge.com - facebook - instagram 
Articles: onlyinyourstate - denverite (severed foot) - yelp - tripadvisor 

#6314 - Tim's Corner Bar, West Elizabeth, PA - 8/22/2025

Tim Zyra, Tim's Corner Bar, West Elizabeth, PA

This is a great old bar space that goes back to prohibition. It’s been “Tim’s Corner Bar” since 1979, and Tim Zyra is one of the nicest owner-bartenders I’ve ever met. The neighborhood bar vibe is nice, and while I didn't eat there, the food gets high marks from locals. Recommended if you’re in the area.

Tim appears to have owned the place since September 1979. A quick lookup in online newspaper archives of bars in this location produced only a few stories. In 1945 it was Roman's Beer Garden, and by the early 1960s it was Stanley's Bar. Stanley’s ran afoul of the law in 1962 by “selling drinks on Sundays, hiring female bar maids [horrors!], and operating a noisy tavern.”

Tim's Corner Bar, West Elizabeth, PA

Tim's Corner Bar, West Elizabeth, PA

700 4th St, West Elizabeth, PA 15088 - (412) 384-9566
Est. 1979 - 
Previous bars in this location: Stanley's Bar 
Web site: facebook 
Reviews: yelp - tripadvisor - weeblyte 

Historical Note: The Tito House, Pittsburgh, PA

The Tito House, 1817 5th Ave, Pittsburgh
August 2025

Last August I was exploring Pittsburgh's Uptown neighborhood and discovered this rather augustly decaying house along 5th Avenue. Just recently I learned that the place - current state notwithstanding - is a controversial historical landmark. The circa 1884 house was once home to Joe Tito, part owner of the great Negro League team the Pittsburgh Crawfords, prominent bootlegger during prohibition, owner Latrobe Brewing Company, and key figure in the rise of the La Cosa Nostra crime family. Tito built the brick garage still standing on the lot in 1922 to host the trucks moving his bootleg whiskey and beer throughout the region. At the close of prohibition Tito and two brothers purchased the Latrobe Brewery assets, purportedly for money laundering purposes. But by 1935 Frank Tito was advertising Rolling Rock Ale, available at the garage, which now served as their Pittsburgh area beer distribution center, a function that would until circa 1977. The House would remain in the Tito family until 1973.

Tito House garage, 1818 Colwell, Pittsburgh
Google photo - Oct 2024

One bit of serendipity in a search for information about the house is the expansive historic site nomination form by David S. Rotenstein, which provides a broad and highly readable addendum -- "Addendeum 8 (History)" -- on not just the Titos, but the history of underground economies among marginalized American populations in Pittsburgh and cities around the country. I quote a few tidbits below and recommend reading the original to anyone interested in the era.

The last I heard, the city's Historic Review Commission approved the demolition of the garage and preservation of the house to make way for 254-unit housing project. The builders said they plan to recreate the facade of the garage on the property.

Selected notes from the Historic Site Nomination Form, by David S. Rotenstein, PhD 

"The Tito brothers began making headlines in 1922 for hauling and hijacking liquor. In December 1922, federal Prohibition agents raided four Penn Avenue establishments seizing more than 140 stills and other bootlegging paraphernalia, including trucks observed leaving the sites. Frank and Robert Tito were among the people arrested. Joe Tito subsequently petitioned a U.S. District Court judge to return two trucks seized. “The trucks were seized last week while it is alleged, beer was being transported in them,” reported the Post-Gazette. The dispute over the seized trucks spanned nearly four years and in 1927 a federal judge vacated the judgements against the Titos and others. 

In 1923, Joe and Frank Tito were arrested for hauling beer labeled as “syrup” away from the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Company yards. According to the Post-Gazette account, Joe lived at 1817 Fifth Avenue and the brothers each got a $100 fine. One year later, Joe Tito was sentenced to serve eight months in the Allegheny County jail for another arrest and conviction for conspiring with A. Guckenheimer & Company to transport illegal liquor."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sep 20, 1939

"Joe Tito clearly occupied a prominent position in Pittsburgh’s organized crime hierarchy. By 1932 he might have been one of the city’s leading organized crime bosses who built his wealth and power in bootlegging and numbers gambling. Newspapers reporting on his questioning in the Volpe triple murder case recognized that he was a special case. The Post-Gazette reported that Tito was shown “special consideration” while being questioned: “His entrance and exit were made with the utmost concern for his privacy.”32 Tito achieved his powerful position in a well-established organized crime setting with roots in the mid-nineteenth century.

These activities comprised a significant informal economy in Pittsburgh and other places that provided thousands of jobs to immigrants from Europe and Blacks arriving from the South in the Great Migration. Informal vice economies offered economic and social opportunities to groups that faced anti-Semitism, anti-Black racism, and anti-Catholicism. Unable to land good jobs in Pittsburgh’s mills, buy and rent homes with racial and ethnic deed covenants attached to them, join prestigious social and civic organizations, and achieve the same levels of economic and social success open to other Pittsburgh residents, Pittsburgh’s early racketeers made their own parallel society in vice."

Joe Tito on steps of 1817 5th Avenue
Photo: Donna Brusco, via CityPaper

 'And finally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation compiled substantial testimony and evidence that document Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney built his sports empire in numbers gambling, sports betting, and slot machines. “Art Rooney, he was in with them guys on the North Side,” aging racketeer Sam Solomon told University of Pittsburgh historian Rob Ruck in a 1980 oral history interview. “They had the bulk of the numbers on the North Side.” '

-- 

The house was occupied by members of the Brusco family in 1968, when the occupants faced serious potential danger in the Hill District violence in the wake of the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. Donna Brusco recalled her father alerting police and sending her to bring back her grandmother Anna from the house for safety:

"Brusco arrived at the house and her grandmother was standing on the porch. About a dozen National Guard troops were lounging around in the front and side yards. Brusco recalls her grandmother yelling, "What are you kids doing out?" Brusco explained that her father had sent her to bring Anna to Mt. Washington and Zizza replied, "You tell your dad I'm staying. I promised these boys spaghetti."

 

 

1817 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Constructed c.1884

(Associated garage at 1818 Colwell, c.1922)
Links: Historic Site Nomination Form - citypaper - historian4hire - vafweb - pittsburghpa.gov